What Does Deuteronomy 20:16 Mean?

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

“But of the cities”

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

“of these people”

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

these or those

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

“which the LORD”

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

“thy God”

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

“doth give”

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

“thee for an inheritance”

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

“thou shalt save alive”

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

“nothing that breatheth”

a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal